Ahead of Celtic’s match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon the clear favourite for the Celtic job vacated by Brendan Rodgers after his resignation a fortnight ago, was the highly rated Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen.
Martin O’Neill then sent out a Celtic side that comfortably saw off Kilmarnock, scoring another four goals without reply at Celtic Park for his second match on home soil as interim Celtic boss.
However since that Knutsen has drifted in the better and while he would be available next month to take the Celtic job, his subsequent comments yesterday has lengthened his odds and there’s a new favourite in the shape of French coach Wilfried Nancy.
The 58 year-old Norwegian seemed set to leave Bodo/Glimt at the end of his contract next month to seek a fresh challenge, and Celtic would certainly provide that! However with three weeks left of his contract and just two games remaining in the Norwegian season, with Bodo/Glimt a point behind current leaders Viking, Knutsen has spoken for the first time about his future and contrary to previous reports he seems likely to remain at Bodo rather than seek pastures new, even at a place we call Paradise.
When asked directly about the Celtic vacancy Knutsen refused to rule anything out, instead saying “nothing is certain in life” and suggesting that his next job would certainly have to be “more exciting than Glimt.”
However he also discussed the possibility of signing a new deal with the Norwegian club and seemed more open about staying on there than had previously been the case, as reported by Norwegian outlet Avisa Nordland:
“We’ll see now if we can get things moving a bit. I don’t really have the energy to talk about it,” Knutsen said when asked about signing a new contract at Bodo/Glimt. “I think we’ve had five matches in 13 days so there hasn’t been much time for contract matters. But we’re in control. I don’t have any plans to do that (leave Bodo/Glimt) but I hope you won’t throw me out either. We have to find the right balance but I think we’ll get it settled quite soon.”
Like the rest of us no-one really has a clue what’s happening although having spoken to the club today The Celtic Star understands that there’s nothing imminent happening. That could change at a minute’s notice. We have been talking about Wilfried Nancy and he’s the latest to be installed as the favourite.
You will recall that Kieran McKenna was the first favourite but he has drifted as indeed has Martin O’Neill, no doubt as a result of what he’s being saying as he downplays staying on longer than initially anticipated in the Celtic job. O’Neill’s results, domestically at least, speak for themselves and his appearance at the St Mirren v Hibs game on Saturday hints at future work and a longer stay for the legendary Celtic figure.
After Celtic’s defeat at Tynecastle in what was Brendan Rodgers’ last match in charge, Martin O’Neill has shaved four points and eight goals off Hearts’ lead and also knocked theRangers out of the Premier Sports Cup. No wonder the Celtic support is in no real hurry to see him going back to talkSport.
The Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy was also mentioned in an article on The Celtic Star yesterday alongside Wilfried Nancy and he too now has a place in the top five names being quoted at the moment.
I can understand Nancy currently being installed as favourite now, for our managerial position?
Mainly with the timing involved and able to take up the position quickly imo?
Don’t see the timing factor as the biggest requirement at present myself, especially with so many other factors involved, within the whole process.
Coaching, squad and a AGM looming, have to be considered also for any potential candidates imo?
Still believe that the MoN and Maloney partnership is the best suited, for riding out the amount of uncertainty within our club at present?
Possibly the boards favoured option at present, but unknown if they or MoN, thinking is the best suited for the position for the time being?
Be surprised if we do get any clarification upon the topic this week, but things will hopefully become clearer next week.
Hardly a simple straight forward decision awaits, for all parties involved in making such decisions either imo?
If MoN is willing to stay on longer, then reduces the time factor, and hopefully the right candidate can be found, with possibly less pressure applied for ourselves, on a footballing sence above all else?
Nancy could be looked upon as an Ange type of appointment, which may suit a board on a business sence.
A better knowledge of the MLS market available, which in turn could involve getting in players quicker for the January window?
Personally don’t believe that such a market option, should be to high on our agenda all the same imo?
Would be surprised if Maloney and fozzy were to be discarded in their current roles within our club, especially as the players seem to have responded well to the pair of them?
So would any potential manager feel comfortable, walking into a position and inheriting a coaching staff, already in position?
To many questions without answers currently exists. Also don’t believe that rocking the boat any more, than what has existed for the best part of the season, would be the right decision to be taken, at this present time imo?
So with all things considered, still hope the MoN and Maloney partnership stays in position for ourselves, for a while longer imo?